Ideas for entertaining 6yo DS with broken leg

[lotsofthingstolearn]

DS 6 has broken his tibia

Not a great situation but we’re getting there with mobility kit. We’ve got a children’s wheelchair from BRC and some crutches (which he just can’t fathom yet) and we’re attempting a shower with him today.

But I’m really looking for ideas on how to survive the next 8 weeks - he’s a v active soul and other than board games, practising reading and screen time (which I’m keen to avoid becoming the norm) I’m stuck for cheap and effective things to do with him.

Anyone able to share any survival tips please?

Awww. Your poor boy!

What about jigsaw puzzles? Sticker books? Lego? 'Cooking' on his lap...crispy cakes or something?
Hope the weeks pass quickly.

Could you do sitting down sporty stuff like throwing balls into bowls, rolling balls onto targets, stuff like that.
A basketball hoop on the door.
Get some juggling balls to practise with.

I’d also probably let him watch a film a day (could work through whatever Disney one’s are free to watch at the mo).
Easy Lego done on his lap.

Our 6yo DS was recently housebound for a week and we did the following - he didn't have mobility issues but providing you have a surface he can use as a table most should be do-able

Lego and other building type toys
Bingo - he loves this - got a cheap set online
Cupcakes with loads of different icings and sprinkles
Drawing competitions
Taught him to play UNO
Flapjacks
Violent volcanos craft set (erupts)
Play doh - still loves it!
A new sticker album and a few packs stickers each day (obviously we only had a week)
Made soup
Spelling challenge with chocolate prize
Movie and popcorn
Painting
Made cookies
McDonald's Drive through for lunch (probably his fave activity all week! )
Copying drawings from YouTube videos
Toy clear out - told him he could order a new toy on amazon if he made some room for one. Very motivating!

He still had lots of screen time but I managed to break it up a bit with the above

Good luck

Monopoly and risk are doable at his age, also stimulating

Teach him to cook, he's really not too young - sit him on a high stool at the worktop. Craft stuff, they had build and paint a bird box at Aldi yesterday.

This is why MN is rather wonderful! Thank-you there’s a few ideas to keep us going for a while

I feel your pain! My DD had a broken tibia at a similar age and we were told no weight bearing for 6-8 weeks... which became almost 6 months by the time the hospital were happy for her to start on crutches.

We found lots of wheelchair friendly places to visit at weekends- museums, walks, wildlife parks etc. We had already booked for the Harry Potter experience which she loved- as she was in a wheelchair we were given priority entry etc so she felt a bit like a VIP! Most places allowed her to the front of events (an animal feeding etc) so she could see.
Other than that, we did have more screen time than I would usually want but also a lot of card games, crafts, invited friends over to play (it's amazing how kind and inventive 6 year olds can be about finding ways to include an immobile friend).

he will be well enough for school soon (my dc was back as soon as the lighter cast was on)
dc only had a half cast and was playing football on crutches

Take him to the library to choose some books to read, go home via a cafe for cake and then get back and enjoy his new books.
Could you teach him to knit, or crochet? I can't do either, but I could make pom poms which might keep him amused for a (short!) time.
Fill a washing up bowl with water, and let him play with his toy boats. Or simply just pouring water.
Junk modelling.

Teach him some card games eg rummy, patience, crazy 8s, go fish, slam. I loved card games as a child.

Piano? Touch typing?

Not sure how bad the break is but when my daughter was in a cast with a tiny fracture I was amazed at how quickly she just ignored it and carried on as normal. Playing in the park, rope swings. Cast was a right Mess after 6 weeks!

It's a full leg cast at the moment, luckily we've managed to get a frame rather than crutches so he's starting to be more mobile.

We're making a timetable of 'stuff' to do!